Only Assholes Make Three A Crowd

by mabonwitch

Summary:

Steve Rogers is interested.

Tony and Pepper are not. At least, not in him. They agree that brains are sexier than brawn.

Bruce is very brainy.

Bruce cringed at Pepper's silence. He shrunk down smaller in the chair, hoping Steve didn't pick now to pay attention to his ears. Bruce wasn't sure how much the super serum enhanced hearing, but there was no way Bruce was out of earshot. They were in the same room. It wasn't his fault Steve didn't notice Bruce sitting in the wing-backed chair that was unexpectedly comfortable.

“I'm not available,” Pepper said, after the silence had stretched an uncomfortably long time.

“Oh,” Steve said. “Maybe the Saturday after that?”

“No,” Pepper said again, tone firmer. “You've misunderstood. I'm not sure where you got the idea, Captain Rogers, that I was open to romantic advances from you, but that is not the case. I'm not available.”

“Oh!” Bruce couldn't decide if he wanted to die of secondhand embarrassment, or take malicious pleasure in Rogers not getting something he wanted. “I'm so sorry, Pepper, I didn't realize- who...?”

If Pepper had been firm before, she was frigid now. Bruce tipped solidly over toward malicious pleasure. It wasn't quite fair, he knew- Rogers had lost everything from before- but Rogers also had a tendency to assume that meant he should get anything he wanted now.

“That's none of your business, Rogers.”

“I-” Rogers sounded so taken aback, like Pepper was the one out of line. There was the hint of temper Bruce had borne too much witness too, as well.

Pepper, of course, didn't let him get far. The sharp click of her heels simply walked away. Bruce breathed a quiet sigh of relief when Rogers left as well.

**

For fuck's sake. Was this chair cursed? He'd been sitting here when Rogers fumbled his way to the obvious conclusion that Pepper and Tony were dating. He'd been trapped here when Clint and Natasha had their latest small projectiles war. And this was the seat he'd taken for what turned out to be the worst movie he'd seen since Betty had taken him to see The Medallion.

At least this time, Pepper knew he was here. Or maybe that made it worse. They'd been having a perfectly nice conversation until Rogers had caught Pepper leaving.

“I'm so sorry,” he said, sounding completely insincere. “I didn't want you to see it in the papers. Tony- well- he was with someone last night. Another woman.”

“Delilah.”

Bruce's eyebrows went up. Well. That was...interesting.

“What?”

“I think that you believe Tony would cheat on me, that I would be unaware of his activities, and most of all that you, a man I had previously turned down, should be the one to tell me and, what, save me from myself?- I think all of that say far more about you than it does about Tony.” There was a perfect, deadly beat of silence. “I apparently wasn't clear enough before. My private life- and Tony's private life too- is none of your business. Keep your opinions to yourself.”

This time, Steve left first.

“Sorry, Bruce,” Pepper said once he was gone.

Bruce looked down at his uncooperative lap. He'd always found woman who stood up to assholes hot. “Not your fault.”

“Thanks,” Pepper said. “I'll see you later.”

**

Tony was physical. He was always touching, prodding, poking. He was careful with it, too, which Bruce appreciated. Tony never surprised him, and on the rare occasions where he really didn't want to be touched, Tony noticed without him saying anything. On the days when Bruce was down on himself, feeling like a monster, Tony was in almost constant contact. A hand on his arm, an arm over Bruce's shoulders, a hip check, settling in close on the couch or in front of a screen.

All that was different. Today, Tony was handsy. Oh, he had flirted before- Tony flirted like he breathed sometimes. Bruce didn't mind. He liked it. Liked the way Tony smiled at him with a hint of leer and the lighthearted jokes about the view if Bruce had to bend over. Bruce was more careful to not let Tony see him look, but he wasn't shy about Tony doing the looking.

The hand in his hair was new. Bruce startled a little, then settled, shooting Tony a curious look. “Getting shaggy there, buttercup.”

“However will I keep up with your impeccable grooming?” Bruce teased. He knew it was a point of pride with Tony. “I gave up in despair.”

Tony cracked up. He gave a light tug to Bruce's hair. Bruce hid a shiver. “Say the word,” Tony said, “and I'll have you looking pretty in no time.”

“I'm good,” Bruce said, amused.

“I bet you're very good,” Tony said, voice pitching to a purr for a bare second. He winked at Bruce and let him go, wandering back over to his station.

Bruce watched him go curiously, wondering if Tony would approach him again. Soon enough, his current project sucked him back in. If he could figure out why the plymatherm shattered when frozen, then maybe...

Bruce surfaced to find Tony watching him. That slow, interested look didn't belong in a lab, Bruce thought hazily. Bruce blinked at Tony, not sure what to say. Tony smiled at him, interest fading behind Tony's natural charm.

“Lunch time, big guy?”

Bruce shrugged. Now that he wasn't concentrating so hard, he was hungry. “Sure. What are we eating?”

“Well...” Tony drawled.

Bruce laughed.

“Pity you're a vegetarian. Nothing with meat, right?”

Bruce glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “I could go for meat,” he said, trying with all his might to keep a straight face, “in the right circumstances.”

Tony put a hand at his heart and batted his eyelashes. “Why, Dr. Banner, I do declare!”

The elevator pinged open. Pepper smiled at them both. “Perfect!” she said. “Surprise lunch?”

Bruce was a little surprised himself, to find the invitation aimed at both of them. “I can make myself scarce,” he offered.

“Bruce!” Tony complained at the same time Pepper shook her head. “I was hoping for both your company,” she said, “if that's all right?”

“Sure,” Bruce said. He thought he was blushing a little. “I'd love to.”

Tony cheered. Pepper laughed at him and hooked an arm through Bruce's. “I took Tony to the opera once, a few years ago. He spent the whole time commentating, cheering and booing.” Bruce couldn't decide if that sounded embarrassing or hilarious. Pepper gave him a knowing look. “Exactly.”

There was an odd moment where they crossed the lobby, and Bruce saw Rogers watching them. Tony was trailing along beside Pepper and Bruce. Bruce was suddenly aware of how it might look.

“Ignore him,” Pepper said once they were in the car. “You know how guys like that get.”

“Guys like that?”

Tony snorted. Pepper said, “Self-righteous guys. The ones who assume they have a right to, well, anything they decide they have a right to.”

Bruce found himself nodding. “For someone so famously against bullying...”

“What, bullying? Captain I'm-Here-To-Explain-To-The-Little-Guy-That-I'm-Right?” Tony shook his head. “Never!”

Bruce laughed. It was sort of true. “Good thing it doesn't piss me off as much as that sort of thing used to.”

Tony gave him a wicked grin. “Rogers is pretty careful about pissing you off, I notice.”

Bruce lowered his eyelashes and tried for neutral. “Is he?”

Tony guffawed. “Hah! I knew you were playing that up.”

Pepper looked amused. “I should borrow you for Board meetings.”

“Capitalism upsets me,” Bruce said, a little wry but mostly honest.

“Try explaining to a bunch of old white men that, no, actually, the exploitation that got Stark Industries where it is today is a bad thing, and we're going to change it. Over and over. And over again.”

Tony reached across and gave Pepper's knee a warm squeeze. “You're a goddess.”

Pepper sniffed. “I expect extra worship tonight.”

Tony ran his hand up her thigh. “I can definitely do that.”

A smug smile curled Pepper's lips. Bruce couldn't look away. “I know.”

And, oh, that was doing terrible things to his self-control. He could feel Pepper's warmth along his side, and Tony's hand was nearly touching Bruce's thigh as well. Bruce couldn't help a flash, imagining Tony on his knees, his face buried in Pepper's-

“We're here,” Pepper announced as the car slowed. Bruce swallowed carefully. He took a slow, deep breath and hoped it went unnoticed. Tony scrambled out first, hand briefly pushing into Bruce's thigh. Pepper slid out smoothly, letting Tony guide her to standing. Bruce inched out and stood himself.

“Food!” Tony declared, striding toward the entrance. “I'm starving.”

Lunch was more of the same. Tony bounced between flirting with Bruce and Pepper, sometimes both at once. Pepper took it as her due, bantering back with a certainty that showed how long they had known each other. Bruce was less certain he should say anything- Tony flirting with him didn't seem to upset Pepper, but Bruce didn't know how she would react if Bruce flirted back. It was harmless, he told himself. He obviously wasn't going to do anything about it. Still...

The problem with deciding to play it on the safer side was that Tony was hard to resist. Where exactly, Bruce found himself wondering, was the line between the fast-paced back and forth Tony used so naturally and flirting? Pepper asked about the work they were doing. Bruce relaxed and let Tony do most of the talking, his face lit up with excitement, hands moving fluidly through the air. Pepper wasn't as deep into science as they were, but she clearly was catching most of Tony's babble. She asked intelligent questions. She also made a point of drawing Bruce in.

Grace. What Pepper had was absolute bucket loads of social grace, the sort that put people at ease. It reminded him of Betty. The thought brought only a faint pang. Betty was half a decade ago. She happy and married, and Bruce was here with two incredible people.

Bruce thought his joke about explosions probably crossed into flirtation- Tony certainly seemed to think so, given his cackle. Pepper smiled at Bruce, peering from under her eyelashes. “That's certainly true for Tony,” she said. “And you, Bruce?”

Flummoxed, Bruce stammered out a denial. The check arrived in time to save Bruce from further embarrassment. That last comment, though. Bruce had no doubt that Tony had been flirting, but had Pepper also been flirting with Bruce? He had no idea. And no idea what to think if she had been.

**

The minute he said it, Bruce knew he shouldn't have. It had been a week of Tony in his space, hands in his hair, on his back, his arms, his waist. A week of incessant teasing, cheerful and much more direct than Tony had been before. A week that sorely tested Bruce's patience.

Still no reason to snap when Tony's hands lingered on his back. “You call that a grope?”

In the silence that followed, Bruce couldn't make himself regret it. He wasn't backing down, either. A Cheshire cat grin stole over Tony's face.

“No,” Tony said, eyes dropping to Bruce's lips. His hands slid down- plenty of time for Bruce to get away or tell him no. Bruce tensed in anticipation, tingling everywhere. It wasn't a surprise when Tony's hands landed on his ass. He kneaded, getting a thorough feel. “I call this a grope.”

After several heavy breaths, some sort of sense surfaced. “Tony,” Bruce protested. “Pepper.”

Tony grunted. “Only part of this Rogers got right,” he said. “I am sleeping with other people. So's Pepper. We're discreet, but it works better for us this way.” He licked his lips. Bruce could feel Tony's breath on his cheek. “Something to keep in mind.”

With a last squeeze, Tony let go and backed up. “Think I'm gonna go tell Pepper I finally got to feel you up, see if she wants a lunchtime quickie.”

Bruce backed up and collapsed into his chair. He put a hand over his face. Well. Fuck.

**

Tony didn't say anything the next day. Or the day after. Bruce wasn't sure what to think. Oh, he believed Tony about Pepper, about them both having other partners. He could still remember Pepper's clear, annoyed “Delilah”. He just...wasn't sure what that meant for him.

Maybe Tony was trying to give Bruce some space, to let him think things through. Should Bruce say something? But what would he even say? Hey, wanna come grope me again?

As much as he'd like that, Bruce also wanted to talk to Pepper about it. A little discreet poking- as discreet as he could be when in Tony's Tower- turned up all sorts of different options. He needed to know more about what exactly Pepper and Tony were doing, and Bruce would feel better if he heard it from Pepper.

Bruce tried not to think too hard about it, dishing up more vindaloo for himself. Natasha had appeared for long enough to snatch a container and retreat. Clint perched in his chair like he expected to be told to go any second. Bruce sympathized. He nudged the vindaloo Clint's way. Tony loaded up his plate while listening to Pepper vent about her awful work day.

 

Just as it seemed like she was done, sighing and reaching for some food, her phone rang. Pepper paused, fork in mid-air. Her eyes narrowed. With exquisite slowness, she lowered the fork and drew out her phone. Narrowed eyes turned into a full-on glare.

“Excuse me a moment,” she said. She didn't bother going far before she picked up. “Potts.”

The icy silence emanating from Pepper after that terse greeting would have made Bruce wince for whoever was on the other side if he wasn't pretty sure they deserved it. Sure enough, Tony leaned close and said, “That's her Board of Directors ring-tone.”

Bruce tried to focus on eating, but it was hard not to listen in when Pepper was right there, blazing with wrath. After a few minutes where she let her caller dig himself into a hole, Pepper cut him off. “We're being sued because you let Stevens get by with building to legal standards, not SI standards, and a wall came down on a group in an earthquake. Stop whining to me about your fuck-ups, and get on the phone with Legal. You damn well know you're firing Stevens, and I better be hearing about your sincere apologies for the injuries caused in the news tomorrow. You're lucky no one died.”

The Other Guy stirred restlessly under his skin. Fight?

Pepper smashed, Bruce thought back. Alarm wasn't what was sending his pulse pounding. His eyes skated over to Tony, who gave him a knowing look. Pepper really was magnificent when she was angry. Bruce smiled sheepishly and ducked his head.

**

“Um.” Pepper and Tony stopped their conversation mid-flow. Bruce wasn't sure he could go another lunch out, somewhere exposed where he couldn't say anything. “Could we maybe have lunch in? I, uh, have some questions.”

“Do you?” Tony's eyes sparkled. Bruce hadn't realized that was missing the last week. “The sort of question that can't be asked in public? My favorite sort.”

Pepper laughed and swatted at Tony. “Behave.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “Miss Potts.”

Pepper arched an eyebrow in response. “Mr. Stark.”

Tony gulped. Bruce knew the feeling. “We could still order Japanese?”

The tension broke. “Jarvis! Japanese for three!” Tony threw an arm around Bruce. Pepper took his free arm.

“Ordered, sir. It should arrive in fifteen minutes.”

They ran into Rogers on the elevator, because of course they did. Bruce shifted uneasily, then forced himself to stillness. Rogers eyed them. He opened his mouth like he was going to ask a question and ran into Pepper's extra polite smile. Rogers closed his mouth again and got off at the next floor, muttering about how it would be nice to walk up a few floors.

As soon as the doors closed behind him, Tony reached over Bruce for Pepper's hand. “You're a goddess, Pep,” he said.

Bruce smiled over at her, guts twisting nervously. “That was pretty amazing,” he agreed.

Pepper smiled back. “I have,” she said, “a great deal of experience with entitled men.” She rolled her eyes. “A great deal.”

“I've seen men literally flee for the bathroom because they were about to wet themselves,” Tony laughed.

“I'm sorry you have to deal with that,” Bruce said.

He caught Tony's smirk too late to stop him from adding, “Annd could totally watch you eat these guys for breakfast allll day long.” Tony nudged him in the ribs. “Right?”

Bruce felt his face get hot. Dammit, why did all that meditation never come in useful when he really needed it? “Maybe,” he demurred. The elevator doors opened on the penthouse. Pepper guided him toward the couches.

“You had questions?” she asked.

“Uh. Tony said-” Bruce turned to Tony in exasperation. “Tony. Get your hand off my ass while I'm talking with your girlfriend.” Tony pouted at him.

“Misbehaving already?” Tony's eyes widened at Pepper's question. He snatched his hand back. “Are you not getting enough attention?”

Pepper slid around Bruce like a shark in the water. Her hand went to Tony's hair, tugging sharply, tilting his head back so she could kiss him. Bruce stared, watching the way Pepper cocked her knee, pressing her thigh firmly between Tony's, free hand curving down to dig into Tony's ass. Tony's arms came up around her, clinging. Tony made a sound deep in his throat. Pepper released him, eyes narrowed and considering. She turned her head and spoke to Bruce.

“How would you feel about me toying with Tony while we talk?”

It took Bruce several tries to clear his throat enough to answer. “I think there's no way I could form a coherent question if you did that.” Which was a pity, because the image of Pepper casually fondling Tony's cock while they chatted really did it for him.

“I know it's terribly rude of me,” Pepper said apologetically, “but could I ask you to get the door when food arrives? I'll just need a minute to get Tony settled down.”

Bruce didn't know what to do but nod, wide-eyed, as Pepper led Tony back to the bedroom. The door between them closed with a soft click. A moment later, Tony yelped then moaned. Bruce twitched in his pants.

“Jarvis, could you play my meditation soundtrack, please?” He wasn't going to listen in, no matter how much he wanted to. They hadn't discussed anything yet. Quiet music mostly drowned out the sounds. With steely focus, Bruce dropped into a light meditative state. His breath and heartbeat slowed, his body quieting under the familiar practice.

Bruce rose to his feet fluidly when Jarvis alerted him their food delivery was at the door. A bot beeped cheerfully at him when Bruce took the bags. Bruce carried the food to the table, unpacking and fetching three plates. Before he could figure out if he should start eating, the bedroom door opened. Pepper was perfectly coiffed. Tony was flushed and sex rumpled.

“Perfect,” Pepper declared, seating herself. “Sushi? I ordered the vegetarian version.”

Bruce sat. Tony slouched his way into the last seat, pulling his chair closer to Pepper's. His legs stretched out until his bare feet were nudging against Bruce's under the table. Bruce smiled at both of them. “Sushi sounds great, thank you.”

There was a little silence while they all tucked in. Bruce watched curiously, noting how easy Tony seemed, no sign of his enormous brain working overtime. It was strangely appealing.

“So, Bruce,” Pepper said after awhile, “what sorts of questions do you have?”

“I guess I'm wondering how it works for you,” Bruce said.

“Quite well,” Pepper said. “We both enjoy sex. It's not necessarily intimate all the time, not always about relationships. Tony tends toward a mix of partners and casual sex. Outside partners give Tony more room to spread out his touchiness and big gestures, which can be overwhelming. As long as there's enough attention for me, I don't really get jealous over that sort of thing. I have a lot going on in my life and I don't have any interest in being average “good girlfriend” material. Sex is pretty intimate for me, but more as a lovely bonus to certain friendships- and Tony likes that just fine.” She paused to give Bruce time to digest that. “I'm good at talking about it, Tony is not. But he can answer questions. It's taken some trial and error, but it works.”

“Huh.” Bruce took another bite of his food. “Is- are there- rules?”

“A few big ones,” Pepper agreed.

“Condoms with others,” Tony volunteered. “Safer sex is safer, kids, never go without.”

“Story time,” Pepper said. “Which means we always know what the other is doing, and with whom. Tony knows which of my friends are “with benefits”; I know who he sleeps with, and the names of any regulars.” She arched an eyebrow. “Or does anything else with. He's very enthusiastic about sharing.” Bruce squirmed. He suddenly had the feeling that Pepper probably had taken Tony up on that offer of a lunchtime quickie. “We do that sometimes, too.” Her lips curved. “Share.”

Ah. Pepper was flirting with him, then. He hadn't wanted to assume. Feeling hot all over, Bruce lowered his head so he could look up at Pepper. He knew it was a good look for him. “Do you? And how does that go?” Pepper's smile widened. That edge of meanness was- mm, definitely something.

“Any way we want it too, usually,” Pepper said. She pushed her food away and leaned forward, giving him a very nice view down her shirt. She had to have undone an extra button somewhere. “We're both very persuasive people.”

“Really?” A thrill went up his spine. “I say “no” to Tony all the time. Perhaps a demonstration?”

“Damn, Bruce,” Tony said. Bruce looked at him, feeling vaguely like he was taking his eyes off a bull about to charge. “When you decide you're in, you just fucking go for it, don't you?”

Bruce shrugged, easy in his skin for once. He used to think the pounding of his pulse would bring the Other Guy. Now he knew better. Something stirred beneath his skin. Tin Man. Safe. Bruce sent back acknowledgment. Tony wouldn't hurt them. Spiky scary? Amused, Bruce sent back an image of Pepper stepping on their enemies with her tall heels.

“You're eyes went green for a second there,” Tony said. “Everything okay?”

Bruce turned his head to Pepper, aware of Tony coming to his feet. “The Other Guy just wanted reassurance that you're good scary, not bad scary.”

Tony made it around behind him, leaning down so his breath tickled Bruce's ear. “That a green light, Bruce?”

Bruce tilted his head to provide more access. “Unless there's other rules I should know?”

Tony backed off a bit. “Don't gossip about us- telling close friends or lovers we've had sex is fine, anyone else, no, and no details. Standard stuff: disclose STIs, consent is sexy, etc.”

Bruce leaned back against Tony. “No STIs, and I sincerely promise to ask first and say “yes” and “no” when I mean it. Not many people I'd want to tell.” Tony's teeth closed softly on his ear. Bruce breathed out heavily. “This a one-time thing?”

“Probably not,” Pepper answered. “I can think of a great many things I'd enjoy doing with you.” She stood, coming around the table. Tony pulled his chair back and urged Bruce to his feet.

“Hn,” Bruce said. His voice was breathy when he asked, “More a friends with benefits thing?”

Pepper closed in on them, standing a foot away, eyes absorbing the picture they made hungrily. “As good a place to start as any,” she said. She slid forward, fingers brushing Bruce's cheek. “Tony's a bit of a romantic,” she murmured. “He'll want to take you out.”

Tony lifted his mouth from Bruce's neck. “Prepare to be wooed.”

Bruce chuckled and relaxed fully. “M'kay.”

Pepper's fingers moved to his lips. “May I?”

“Yeah.”

Pepper kissed like she did everything else: friendly, but definitely in charge. Bruce surrendered easily. He set one hand cautiously on her waist. She bit his lip in response, a sharp pleasant pain. Tony's hands kneaded Bruce's shirt. He took Tony's hand in his free one and slid them both under his shirt, tacit permission. Tony took immediate advantage, hands roaming over Bruce's stomach and up his chest. He paused there.

“Ooo, Pepper's going to like that.”

Pepper released his mouth. Bruce panted for breath. “Like what?”

Bruce could almost feel Tony's grin. “Bruce is hairy.”

“I do like that in a man,” Pepper said. She looked straight into Bruce's eyes as she explained. “I like the way it feels against my breasts.”

“Pretty sure I'll like the way your breasts feel,” Bruce said, a little sex stupid.

There was laughter in Pepper's eyes. “Why don't you find out?”

Bruce unbuttoned her blouse as quickly as he could. Pepper shrugged it off and let it slide to the ground. Bruce swallowed. She was wearing a gorgeous, silky black bra that cupped her breasts lovingly. He skimmed his hands up her waist. He could feel the heat of her skin through the bra. He squeezed a little, just enough for her to feel. His thumb traced the top of the cup, then dipped under. Her nipples rose pertly to his touch. Bruce licked his lips. His eyes flicked between Pepper's face and her breasts, watching for what pleased her best. Cupping everything in his hands got a sigh; a slow roll of her nipples drew a gasp. His mouth on them made Pepper tighten her fingers in his hair and arch her back.

“She loves that,” Tony said. “Try a little teeth, just a touch-” Bruce did. Pepper moaned. “Yeah, like that.”

Bruce's head spun. His cock pressed tightly to the front of his pants, all out of proportion to the little they'd done. He could feel Tony starting to get interested again, the weight of him pressing against Bruce's hip. He wanted skin, to touch everywhere and drown in it.

“Bruce,” Pepper gasped. She tugged at his shirt. “Let me take this off you.”

Bruce nodded, reaching around Pepper to free her of her bra at the same time. Tony shifted away, still somewhere close behind him. A moment later, they were all pressed together. Pepper moaned again, kissing Bruce hard, rubbing her breasts against his chest. It felt delicious. Tony's bare skin against his back, arc reactor humming, felt good in an entirely different way.

Any worries Bruce had about balancing two people in bed faded the longer they kissed. They knew what they were doing. Tony's hands roamed freely over both of them. He scratched lightly over Bruce's chest, tweaking his nipples. He cupped Pepper's breasts, holding them for Bruce to suck and nip, rubbing himself against Bruce's ass while he did. Pepper let go of him long enough to kiss Tony senseless over Bruce's shoulder. Bruce rocked back against Tony, loving the press of his cock where they moved together.

Pepper broke the kiss. Her eyes dropped, watching Tony and Bruce rock. Bruce's cock jumped under her gaze. Pepper got that mean little smile again. She laid a hand on Bruce's stomach, so close to where he desperately wanted to be touched. “It feels good, doesn't it? His cock. Are you thinking about him fucking you?”

Fuck, he was now. “Uhuh.” Tony groaned.

Pepper's smile grew a little wider, a little meaner. “Oh, Bruce. You're all worked up, aren't you?” She tugged his hair gently. Bruce didn't know what sort of sound he made in response. “Lucky for you, I'd love to see you fall apart.” She curved her hand slowly over his cock through his clothes. Bruce jerked helplessly forward into the touch. She let go and stepped back. “Get naked, boys.”

Bruce's hands were on his belt buckle before even Tony could get there. He had it open in a flash. Tony tugged him around, smile warm, and kissed him. Oh. He. They hadn't kissed before, had they? Tony was fantastic at it, exploring and inviting. It seemed like it took seconds for Tony to figure out all of Bruce's hot spots. Bruce clung as Tony worked, one hand in Bruce's hair, the other popping open the button on his pants and sliding the zipper down. He eased Bruce's pants and underwear down at the same time, leaving Bruce's bare cock to leap forward. Tony wrapped sure fingers around him, giving him one dry stroke that made Bruce see stars. He should help get Tony's clothes off, but he couldn't focus on anything. Nothing seemed real except those hot touches and the fire boiling under his skin. Tony guided him forward and down, until he was laying between Tony's legs on the couch. Tony's kiss turned suggestive, and Bruce followed it and the hand on his ass blindly, hips rolling needily, fucking their cocks together.

Tony nipped at Bruce's ear and said, “Pep's down to her underwear, you're going to want to see this.”

It took several seconds to penetrate. When it did, Bruce turned his head. “Oh.”

Pepper posed, naked except for silky black underwear with lace patterns at the edge. There was a soft flush to her skin. Pepper ran her hand down her chest, slowing until her fingers were tucked just barely under the edges of her underwear.

“Would you like to take these off me, Bruce?”

“Hng.” He twisted around to face her, fingers tingling.

Pepper laughed and freed her fingers, running them down the center and pressing tight against her cunt. She reached over Bruce's shoulder with those damp fingers and Bruce heard the sound of Tony sucking them in right in his ear. He moaned.

“He's good with his mouth, isn't he?” She pressed close. Bruce felt himself start to leak, even as he tried to wrench his mind away from the thought of Tony's mouth. He couldn't think with the scent of Pepper's arousal so close. He laid a kiss on her stomach, inhaling deeply. Bruce leaned back enough to look up, catching Pepper's eyes as his hands moved to her hips. As carefully as he could manage, he eased her underwear down, bending to help her step out of it.

“Lay back, Bruce.” Heart pounding, Bruce did as he was told. He tried to reign himself in, but it was like trying to hold a rope once it got going: all he got was burning heat. Tony panted in his ear, cradling Bruce against his chest. Tony twisted, then reached over Bruce's shoulder with a condom. Pepper took it, covering Bruce's cock with a practiced motion. Bruce arched up into her touch. She gave him several slow strokes until he was trembling all over.

“Don't worry about holding back, Bruce,” she said, smiling as she straddled him. “I want you to come.” Pepper raised up, then sat down on his cock. There was a terrifying moment when Bruce thought he might come just from that. The way she looked at him said she knew it. Pepper leaned forward to brace her hands on his chest. It made him feel pinned in the best possible way.

Pepper didn't start slow. She bounced on his cock, hips working in an urgent rhythm that Bruce followed helplessly. Her breasts swung with every move. Lower, Bruce caught glimpses of his cock sliding in and out, framed by Pepper's damp curls. It was too much. Bruce started making low, needy cries with every thrust. Heat rolled up his spine and back down, tightening his balls. “Fuck,” Tony gasped behind him. “Go on,” Pepper said. And he did, arching his spine as Pepper slammed her hips down, coming so hard he couldn't see for a minute.

When he could open his eyes again, Pepper was all glittering satisfaction. She drew off him with a final squeeze. Tossing the used condom, she said, “Can you sit up?”

Dazed, Bruce nodded and struggled upright. Pepper moved so she was between them, pulling Bruce around as she did so. At first, Bruce thought she would ride Tony, finish up like that. Instead, she knee-walked up the couch to sit on Tony's face. Tony groaned his approval.

Pepper looked over her shoulder at Bruce. “Come finger me, Bruce.”

Head swirling with heat, Bruce got himself settled beside Tony's chest. He put a hand on Pepper's hip and traced his way down and in. He wasn't sure he'd ever done things from this angle, not with a woman at least. Pepper felt as wet and hot on his fingers as she had on his cock. She clenched down.

“Is this good?” Bruce asked.

“Nn,” Pepper said. “Deeper. Like you're fucking me.”

He could see it, him fucking Pepper from behind while Tony's mouth worked messily over the place they were joined. Bruce pushed deeper, then back out, working the rhythm her hips set. First two fingers, then three, then four. Her noises got deeper, hungrier. Bruce could hardly keep up, his cock starting to stir again. Pepper tossed her head back and went still, clamping down for endless seconds as she came.

After a long minute when she didn't make any move to push him out, Bruce asked, “Again?”

Pepper laughed and nodded. “Yeah, let's-”

She was quicker to rise this time, hips rolling. Bruce pressed his fingers forward, curling a little, and Pepper cried out. “Keep-” she demanded. Bruce kept the angle, fucking into her g-spot. His whole body buzzed with desire. He clenched his free hand uselessly as Pepper ground herself down and came again.

After a moment, Pepper waved her hand and Bruce withdrew. She eased off Tony's face, scooting back until Bruce moved with her. It took him a second to realize what she was aiming for. Bruce stood long enough to swap spots with Pepper again, so she was straddling Tony's cock.

Tony leered cheerfully at Bruce, who was at half-mast again. “Need some help with that?” He licked his lips. His face was wet with Pepper's juices. Bruce couldn't help his cock jumping.

“Please feel free to shut him up,” Pepper said.

Permission given, Bruce reached for the open drawer on the side table- he could see supplies in there. “Ever since-” Bruce made a vague gesture that he hoped conveyed “science disaster resulting in Hulk” “-it's been like this.” Tony opened his mouth, keen interest sharpening his gaze. “Sex science later, Tony.”

To prove he meant it, Bruce rolled the condom down his sticky cock and took Pepper's position. He teased the tip over Tony's parted lips, then slid in. Tony moaned.

Behind them, Pepper said, “You better make us both come again before you do, Tony.”

Bruce thought the sound Tony made was assent, but he was too busy losing his mind to know for sure. Tony did something with his tongue just behind the head that had Bruce's cock filling rapidly. His tongue curled around Bruce, sucking him down. Flickers across the head, a hand on his hip urging him to fuck Tony's mouth. Once he caught the rhythm, that hand moved to toy with Bruce's balls. From the sounds Pepper made, the other hand must be on Pepper's clit.

The sight of his cock disappearing into Tony's mouth was just as hot as when it had been Pepper's cunt. Tony, unsurprisingly, made scorching eye contact. He could feel himself throbbing on Tony's tongue. Deep, steady suction now. Pepper's voice rose again. Tony's groans vibrated against his cock. Bruce was close, cock jerking in time with Pepper's cries. His eyes widened, thighs tensed. Pepper's voice cut off abruptly and Bruce came in time with her. Tony swallowed him down.

Bruce pulled out. Tony's eyes were closed. He was shivering all over. Bruce turned his head to watch. Pepper smiled, still seated on Tony's cock. “You can come now,” she said.

Tony gasped, hips arching up. Watching him come like that was the hottest thing that Bruce had ever seen.

It wasn't a surprise that Tony was all octopus arms post-coitally. Pepper disappeared briefly to the bathroom before settling on Tony's other side, tossing a leg over his hip. After a few minutes of lazy drowsing, Pepper sighed and stretched.

“Thoughts, Dr. Banner?”

Bruce laughed a little. “I would definitely like to do that again.”

Pepper smiled at him over Tony's shoulder. “Not too much? I know we're both, hm.”

“You certainly fill a room,” Bruce said. “In a good way. It's-” He hesitated, cheeks warming. “It, uh, works for me, that much...intensity? Focused on me.”

Pepper's smile grew smug. “You're welcome to try out other combinations. Sharing doesn't always mean three in a bed. Or on a couch.”

“I sort of want to fuck Tony in his workshop,” Bruce said. Tony shivered. Bruce shared a knowing look with Pepper. “Among other things.”

“I think we can make that happen,” Pepper said.

**

The rest of the Tower figured it out pretty quick. Natasha didn't bat an eyelash, and it got no more than a shrug from Clint. Thor congratulated him heartily on experiencing “the bliss of bedding a shield mate” and made an offer that left Bruce equal parts alarmed and amused.

Rogers took it like a betrayal. His hurt puppy dog eyes rolled off Bruce. Bruce ignored it, then spent a week or so giving his best impression of being puzzled by what could possibly be wrong. Meanwhile, he ate Pepper out under her desk and fucked them both in every configuration they could think of, and let Tony take him out to fancy places and flirt over food. Rogers was a pain, but one that Bruce mostly forgot.

It ended in a shouting match between Tony and Rogers. Bruce hadn't seen the start of it, but Rogers must have done something. Tony knew how much Bruce hated shouting. He wouldn't leave Tony alone with Rogers, though, and it turned out he was right not to. Rogers, red-faced, reached out and pushed Tony's chest.

Bruce didn't actually remember getting up. He just knew that all the sudden, he had Rogers raised fist in his hand. Bruce pushed forward, knocking Rogers back several steps. His arm was green. “You're done now,” Bruce said. There was a growl in his voice.

“I-” Rogers lost color.

“You don't deserve people,” Bruce said, temper going cold. “You don't have a right to their attention, their bodies, or their trust. You earn those things.” He dropped Rogers fist and stepped back, voice thick with disgust. “Or you don't.”

Rogers moved to DC the next day.

Bruce took Tony out to lunch, one of the tucked away little Indian places he loved. Tony practically had hearts in his eyes the whole time. It made something hopeful and warm turn over in Bruce's chest.

It wasn't love, not yet. But maybe it could be.